Cover for milk-receptacles.



C. H. STRAIGHT.

COVER FOR MILK BEGEPTAGLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1914.

1,1 16,950. Patented Nov. 10, 1914,

o oooeo o 000 000 THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHONL'THQ, WASHINGTU". D.

UNITED mainstream onnion, f

' CLARK H. STRAIGHT, or BRISTOL, RHODE isnannynssrenon T nv nnn'rrn I WALLING, 0F UNION VILLAGE, RI-IOl'lE ISLAND.

COVER FOR MILK-RECEPTACLES.

Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Nov. 10,1914.

Application filed May 13,1914. Serial No. 838,307.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARK H. STRAIGHT, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Bristol, in the county of Bristol and State of Rhode Island, have invented new and useful Improvements in Covers for MillrRecepta- I cles, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to covers for cans and other receptacles, particularly receptacles for milk; and it consists'in the simple, easily handled,'sanitary and clean cover hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

' In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a diametrical section illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention as properly positioned on the neck'of' a milkcan. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same, illustrating the ventilating openings at the back of the cover. Fig. 3'is a diametrical section of a modified cover embodying a foraminous screen for straining the milk precedent to the passage of the same through the spout of thecover. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation showing 'themodified cover as positioned on the neck of a milk can.

Similar numerals designate corresponding parts in Figs; 1 and 2 of the drawings, to which reference will first be had. 7

The milk can body 1 is provided with a conventional neck 2, and is otherwise of the ordinary well known construction. My novel cover is removably placed so as to snugly surround the neck 2, as shown in Fig. l. Frictional contact may be depended on to retain the cover against casual dis placement from the neck 2, or the cover may be positively secured on the neck 2 through the medium of a bayonet slot or any other approved construction, without involving departure from the scope of my claimed in vention.

The cover comprises an annular portion 3 that snuglysurrounds the neck 2, and is provided near its upper edge, and preferably in its back,-with a horizontal series of horizontally disposed vent apertures 4, a domelike top 5 joined through a circumferential bead 6 with the annular portion 8, and having a discharge opening 7, and also having, by preference, a handle 8, a spout 9 fixed to the dome-like top and communicatlng with the opening 7 ,and a spout-cover 10, hinged at 11 to the dome-like cover.

It will be gathered from the foregoing. that by reason of my novel cover being pro 'vided withthe openings 4vit can be used as a ventilator for permitting the, escape of heat before the milk ishermeticall'y closed in the can; also, that the utilization of the cover is carried out in such manner as to positively preclude the entrance of dirtor other foreign substance into the canf This will be better understood when it is stated that to enable the covertoserve as a ventilator, it is simply necessary to raise the cover on the neck 2 sufiiciently to position the apertures 4 in a horizontal plane above the upper edge of the neck 2. Again it will be appreciated that the horizontaldisposition of the apertures 4 enable them to permit the free escape of heat while reducing to a minimum'theliability of dirt gainingaccess to the interior of the can. The spout cover 10 normally closes thejspout, and automatically closes incidental to the replacing of the can 1 in an upright'position after the pouring of considered an important advantage when it i is borne in mind-that a careless person can remove the ordinary milk can cover and use 1t as a cup, and then when such cover'is replaced, thereis liability ofdisease germs or other foreign substancereaching the milk in the can.

The modified cover shown in Fig. 3 is provided with an annularportion' 3 adapted to surround the neck of a milk can 1, the upper edge of the said neck being indicated by a dotted line, Fig. 4. Said annular portion 3 is provided with a bayonet'slot 13 for its positive connection to the neck of the milk i can, and is also provided with vent apertures 4 which when the cover is in use are always in position to maintain communication between the interior of the can and the atmosphere, except when they are closedby the foraminous annulus 14, hereinafter specifically described. In addition to the annular portion 3, the modified cover comprises a top 5 having, by preference, a handle 8, and also having an opening, a spout and a spout cover, similar to the corresponding elements or features of thecover shown in Figs. 1 and 2; the opening 7 a of the modified cover being shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. -The foraminous annulus of the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is snugly arranged in the annular portion 3 of the cover, and is adapted at all times to screen the milk precedent to its passage through the opening 7 and is also adapted to reduce to a minimum the passage of foreign substance through the opening 7 into the can. In the position shown in Fig. 3, certain apertures of the annulus 14 register with the apertures 4*, so as to prevent the annulus from interfering with the escape of heat from the can. When, however, it is desired to hermetically close the can, it is simply necessary to turn the annulus 14 in the cover portion 3* so as to dispose imperfora-te portions of said annulus 14 opposite the vent openings 4 When desirable, the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be provided with a foraminous annulus for one of the purposes ascribed to the annulus 14 of Fig. 3, namely-t0 screen the opening 7. It will'be understood, however, that when an annulus having foraminations is arranged in the dome-like top 5, the said annulus would be of concavoconvex form in cross-section, in order to conform to the curvature of the dome-like top 5.

An important feature common to both embodiments of my invention resides in the fact that the closure cover surrounds the neck of the can and is arranged exterior of said neck.

This is advantageous inasmuch as it lessens the liability of foreign substance gaining access to the interior of the can. This will be better appreciated when it is stated that in the employment of my improvement any milk that lodges between the cover and the neck and the dirt collected by the milk cannot flow back inside the can but must always remain on the outside.'

With a view to preventing dripping of the milk or other liquid that lodges between the neck and the cover, on the outside of the can so as to render the can as a whole untidy in appearance, I may when the same is deemed necessary or desirable provide the can body with an annular seat to receive the lower edge of the cover. Such a seat is shown in Fig. 4 and numbered 4, and it may when desired be provided at its inner side with a gasket 5 adapted to tightly fit the cover and hold the same.

While my novel closure is designed more particularly for use on milk cans, milk bottles, and milk receptacles in general, I desire it distinctly understood that the cover is applicable to and is adapted to be used to advantage on receptacles for holding liquids and other substances other than milk.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. A receptacle cover comprising an annular side portion constructed and arranged to surround a can neck and having'a horizontally-disposed vent near its upper edge; said cover also having a discharge opening and a spout in communication with said opening and further having a gravitating spout cover.

2. A receptacle cover comprising a side portion constructed and arranged to snugly engage a can neck and having a vent near its upper edge, and a dome-like top fixed to the side portion and provided with a discharge opening and a spout in communication therewith and also provided with. a gravitating spout cover.

3. The combination with a receptacle cover having a side portion in which is a vent and also having a dome and a discharge opening, a spout in communication therewith, and a gravitating' spout cover; of a foraminous annulus adjustably arranged in the cover opposite the vent and the discharge opening.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLARK H. STRAIGHT.

Witnesses LOWNDES A. SMITH, Jr., IDA P. GREENMAN.

Copies of Hill patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

